Going on a road trip is always fun — well, almost always. There are many things that can make or break your trip, and one of them is the food you take along the way.

I personally can’t go on a road trip without the right meals or snacks packed in my bag.

However, including the right snacks and meals can be a bit challenging if you don’t have a road trip guide of sorts. You need to have food that won’t spoil for hours, and it needs to be easy to eat in the car or during stopovers.

I’ve got you covered there; here are 46 of the best road trip food ideas that you can try on your next adventure!

Also read: 10 Easy Delicious Hiking And Backpacking Lunch Ideas

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Best Road Trip Food Ideas From Meals to Snacks

1. Puppy Chow

This may sound like some kind of wet dog food, but it is not! Puppy chow, also known as reindeer chow or muddy buddies, is made of rice cereal pieces (such as Chex) covered in peanut butter and chocolate and then dusted with powdered sugar.

You could mix Nutella and these cereal pieces for your long road trip drives!

2. Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is always a good choice to have on the road. It lasts a pretty long time as long as you keep it in a cooler, and it’s a nutritious and delicious way to keep yourself full.

I recommend fruits such as clementines, apricots, cherries, and sliced apples.

3. Banana Oat Muffins

Sometimes I have it for breakfast and sometimes for road trips — for these banana muffins, all you need are two cups rolled oats, choc chips, milk, 3 large bananas mashed, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder, dash of vanilla essences and spiced cinnamon.

Bake it in the morning or the night before for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Voila hot fresh oven-baked muffins!

If you’re not a fan of banana, a delicious option are these vegan spiced persimmon muffins.

4. Popcorn

Popcorn is one of the most convenient snacks out there, making it perfect for road trips! Not only is it delicious, but it also contains a good amount of fibres and complex carbs that provide you with energy and keep you full.

You can also do so many things with popcorn, such as adding cinnamon and a bit of sugar, mixing it with your favourite nuts or candy, or dusting your seasoning on it.

5. Granola Bars

Some of the best road trip food are granola bars

Granola bars are a classic snack that is easy to eat and will keep you energized throughout the day. However, it can be difficult to find one that isn’t just loaded with sugar and preservatives.

Try making them at home by mixing together almonds, oats, dates, peanut butter, and maple syrup. You’ll make granola bars just as good without having to spend much. The best part is that you know exactly what goes into them.

6. Trail Mix

Trail mix is an old favourite that you can keep snacking during road trips far from boring. You can opt to buy a pre-made pack, but I love to create my own combination of snacks.

Try putting together Cheerios, peanuts, Chex cereals, pretzel crisps, and M&Ms for a sweet and salty, satisfying mouthful each time.

7. Beer Nuts

Peanuts can be a bit ho-hum for me on road trips. One way to spice them up a bit is to turn them into beer nuts, which are coated in crystallized sugar. Be careful not to eat too much though since this snack does run a bit sweet!

Also Read: 20 No-Cook Delish Camping Food Ideas and Meals

8. Hard Boiled Eggs

Simply put, hard boiled eggs are delicious, easy to prepare, and nutritious. They’re a fuss-free snack to eat and great to pair with other snacks too if you season them right with salt and pepper

9. Sliced Veggies

To keep things healthy, I recommend slicing up some veggies like cucumbers, celery, radishes, and carrots. It also helps if you bring your favourite dip with you such as cream cheese, Ceasar salad dressing or honey mustard!

10. String Cheese

String cheese is a childhood favourite that never gets old! Instead of eating them alone, try pairing your cheese with apple slices to balance out the taste and nutritional value.

11. Sandwiches

Sometimes you’ll need more than just a handful of trail mix. A sandwich recipe I like to prepare beforehand is a BLT with an avocado spread topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and my favorite dressing.

12. Grapes

If you’re looking for a fruit that isn’t messy to eat in the car, then grapes are your best bet. Just make sure not to go overboard since they do have a lot of sugar in them.

13. Baby Carrots

Having baby carrots on hand will prevent you from eating unhealthier options, especially when you’re looking to eat because you’re bored.

Carrots are high in fiber and vitamin A, making them a delicious, nutritious snack to have on the road.

14. Chocolate chip cookies

There’s nothing wrong with having a couple of treats on the road, so bringing a few classic chocolate chip cookies is a great idea!

Everybody has their own favourite, so load up on the chewiest, gooiest cookies you can find and get ready for your trip.

15. Apple Chips

Potatoes may be king in the chip department, but they’re not that healthy. One of my favourite alternatives is apple chips.

They’re just as crispy and crunchy but they won’t leave you feeling guilty after finishing off an entire bag of your own. Lay your apple slices on baking sheets, sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for one hour.

Also Read: 15 Best Hiking & Backpacking Snacks That Are Healthy To Munch On!

16. Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet potatoes are another healthier alternative to regular old potatoes when it comes to chips! They have plenty of vitamin A and vitamin E. Aside from that, they have more fiber than traditional chips.

Slice the sweet potatoes finely, lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for 30 minutes!

17. Salted and Roasted Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds are a classic travel snack. They’re fun and easy to eat, and they’re loaded with vitamin E and flavor too.

18. Reese's Snack Mix

Though it’s a bit on the indulgent side, the Reese’s snack mix is peanut buttery sweet and will give you a burst of energy. Remember not to eat too much of it, though.

19. Dried Mangoes

As great as fresh fruit, dried mangoes is to eat on a road trip.

Eating dried fruit mangoes instead gives you a no-fuss snacking experience on the road and a way to hit your sweet tooth. Try the organic thin cut version!

20. Hummus and Celery

Hummus is a great snack; I can never get enough of it. Take a generous amount of this with you on your road trips with several sticks of celery and you’ll have a healthy but delicious dipping snack on the road!

21. Honey Nut Cheerios

Cereal can be delicious, even without the milk. Simply fill up a bag with Honey Nut Cheerios or your favourite kind of cereal and hop into the car.

22. Yoghurt

Greek yoghurt is loaded with protein and will keep you full until your next stop. I like to place this and some chopped fruit in the cooler until I’m ready to take it out to munch on when I’m feeling hungry on the road.

23. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a classic combination, but it might not be the best for road trips since it can get messy.

Besides, jelly has a ton of added sugar that isn’t the healthiest to eat. Instead, try peanut butter and banana sandwich for a good dose of healthy fat and protein.

24. Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels

I love pretzels, but salted ones can leave me feeling a little bit parched after a few pieces.

The pretzels from Snyder’s of Hanover aren’t as salty and are seasoned with a blend of spices that are more delicious than just straight up sodium.

25. Pistachio Nuts

Pistachio nuts are great because they are chock-full of plant-based protein, unsaturated fat, and fiber. I also prefer them because they have fewer calories compared to other nuts.

26. Pocky Sticks

Chocolate covered biscuit sticks? I’m in!

27. Baked Chickpeas

Baked chickpeas are super easy to make and are a great source of fiber. Simply drain and dry a can of chickpeas, toss them in some olive oil, season with salt and other spices, then bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 450°F.

An alternative is organic store-bought ones by Hippeas!

28. Bagel Chips

If you’ve got some stale leftover bagels, then you can make bagel chips for a crunchy snack on your trip. Season with whatever you’ve got and you’ll have a great alternative to potato chips!

29. Coconut Chips

Another option for chips is coconut! They’re sweet, nutty, and super crunchy. Best of all, these chips are super healthy and have a nice sweet-salty contrast from the seasoning.

30. Dried Snap Peas

Dried snap peas are much healthier than potato chips, but they’re just as addictive!

31. Ham and Cheese Wheels

Ham and cream cheese rolls are a great source of protein and some healthy fat. This combination will keep you full during trips and halt any major cravings you’ve got.

I personally like preparing these because they’re easy to make ahead of time. Simply lay out a piece of ham, add a dollop of cream cheese in the middle, roll the ham up, and slice it into bite-sized pieces.

32. Chocolate Covered Almonds

I can never say no to chocolate-covered almonds! It’s the perfect combination of crunchy, nutty, and sweet — absolutely addictive.

You can choose to buy them in bulk or make them yourself. This is a great recipe to try if you’re trying to prepare snacks on a budget, too.

33. Apple Fritters

If you’re in the mood for fall pastries, then I suggest whipping up a batch of apple fritters to pack on your road trip!

Different recipes work best for different people, so choose one that you and your family enjoy.

But make no mistake — these chewy but pillowy soft cakes are bursting with flavour from apple chunks and a light dusting of cinnamon-sugar glaze that’s just super comforting!

34. Roasted Seaweed

Seaweed isn’t just reserved for sushi and salads. Head on over to any Asian grocery store to pick up a pack of roasted, salted seaweed to snack on while you drive.

35. Almond Butter and Strawberries

Almond butter is so yummy I could eat it by the spoonful! Try pairing strawberries with some almond butter during your road trip for an indulgent yet protein-filled snack.

36. Pesto Chicken Wraps

If you’re not a big fan of sandwiches, then this pesto chicken wrap might be better for you. Place pesto sauce, roasted chicken, arugula, and tomatoes on a wrap and roll it tight.

I like to prepare some of these ingredients the night before a trip and finish up any last-minute prep the morning of.

37. Pringles

A can of Pringles is an easy snack to have. Plus, it fits right into the car’s cup holder!

38. Tuna Salad

You can pair a tuna salad with fresh vegetables and a blueberry muffin for dessert for a good on-the-road meal.

39. Soup and Bread

Sometimes a hearty meal is what you need at a rest stop. Load up a thermos with hot soup and enjoy it with some buttered bread during one of your stopovers.

40. Homemade Vegetable Chips

It’s easy to make your own veggie chips at home. My favorite is kale. Simply rip freshly washed kale into bite sized pieces, toss with olive oil, lay out onto a baking sheet, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 375°F.

Let it cool before packing it into an air-tight container and setting off on your trip.

41. Fudgy Brownies

Rich, chocolaty dairy-free brownies made completely from scratch that are gluten-free and to die for! You don’t want something that is fattening especially when you’ll be sitting in for long drives.

The best way is to opt for a healthier treat and bake them yourself opting for high-quality dark chocolate! If you don’t have access to chocolate, you can even try baking cocoa powder brownies.

Let’s not forget about drinks!

Here are some of my favourite drinks to pack on the road:

42. Unsweetened carbonated Drinks

Drinks like LaCroix quench your thirst and add that fizzy sensation at the same time.

43. Coconut Water

Refreshing and light, coconut water takes the cake for one of the healthiest drinks you can take practically anywhere.

44. Reduced Sugar Kids Drinks

If you have kids with you, then try out organic juice boxes from Costco that have reduced sugar.

45. Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

On some trips, I like to prepare peanut butter and banana smoothie. It’s a combination that never disappoints, and it offers a super tasty refreshment that’ll keep you full on long drives.

46. Just Plain Water!

Never forget to drink enough water!

Do you have any other go-to snacks for your road trips? Share with me in the comments below!

Inspiration & Tips